Preserving the iconic: Restoration work wrapping on Rochester’s glowing beauty of a hotel sign

By Dan Rafter, Editor

Iconic. That’s how Matt Williams, vice president of finance with Red Pine Capital Management, describes the historic neon sign that has so long lit up the nighttime sky from atop the Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, Minnesota.

Unfortunately, the sign, built and installed around 1971, had reached the end of its life, sometimes failing to light at all. Age had taken its toll.

And why not? The sign stands 11 stories above the ground and spells out the name “Kahler Hotel” in towering neon letters. It’s long been a beacon shining in downtown Rochester.

But that is changing soon. The historic Kahler sign is now being restored and relit, a major restoration project that will return the sign to its original glory.

And while this project comes with a big price tag, Williams says that there really was no other choice but to bring the iconic sign back to life.

“The sign has been a part of the skyline for over 50 years,” Williams said. “The Grand Hotel is one of the largest buildings in Rochester. I’ve spoken to multiple citizens around Rochester. They all speak fondly of it. They remember the glow of that sign from when they were kids. Now they are full-grown adults and they were sad to see the state it had fallen into these past few years. “

The sign’s metal mesh was rusted beyond repair and the electrical components were so degraded that slowed lease demand, rent growth in industrial sector … in Twin Cities and across the Midwest: Vacancies are down and average rents are up.

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